Improvement in explosive shells for ordnance



J. M. HATHAWAY.

Shell.

No. 34,685. Patented M21 18, 1862.

Nrrnn STAT S JOHN M. HATHAXVAY, OF lFAV YORK, X. 'Y.

Parana @rricir.

IMPROVEMENT IN EXPLOSIVE SHELL$ FOR ORDNANCE.

S wcilleation forming 11111,0f .liOllHS PfltNll? No. fi fifli ir', datedMarrh 1*, Ni In bomb. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same.-

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan at the line 1 1., and

Fig. at is an elevation of the plug and spring applied to causedetonation when the shell strikes.

I Similar marks of reference denote the same parts.

My said invention relates to an elongated bomb or projectile withdiverging barrels containing balls that are fired out just beforereaching the object aimed at, and then the shell itself is exploded.

In the drawings, a is the metallic bomb, formed of the diameter requiredfor the particular cannon, and of a proportionate length,

and tapered at the forward end. The bomb a is provided with rollers 2 2on its outside, corresponding in number with and adapted to enter therifling grooves of the cannon, and by rolling avoid friction as much aspossible in commencing to revolve the ball as projected. The wings 3 3also serve to rotate the ball and act in case of injury to either of therollers 2 2. At the base of the projectile is a disk of cork, rubber, orsimilar elastic material, b, and attached to this is a taperingcylinder, (Z, of corrugated metal. These parts are attached ashereinafter set forth, and their action is to keep the gases confinedand prevent windage, for 011 entering the ball into the bore the rearend of the tapering cylinder (1 enters easily; but as shoved in, thecork or elastic base b is compressed, and the corrugated cylinder (Z,expanding with the force of the explosion, sets tightly to the inside ofthe gun. To aid in preventing windage, and also to support the forwardend of the ball and pre vent injury to the cannon, I employ the taperinglead ring 0, which surrounds the front end oftheball, and when drivendown by a hollow-ended ramrod fits tightly the bore of the gun, and asthe ball starts forward this lead ring is partially slugged by the ballmoving before the ring, and hence. the rifle-grooves are thoroughlyfilled. The circular grooves at 4 in the ball prevent the ring goingback too far, and the longitudinal ones insure the movement of the ringand ball together. pins 5 5 may be employed to keep the ring on the ballprior to lOftClll'lg. A corrugated band of sheet metal is to beintroduced around the lead ring 0 outside to strengthen it.

In order to hold the elastic base I) to the ball I employ theturning-disk e (which also cts as a fuse-regulator) and the pin 1''.This pin f is attached to the ball a and hasa collar at the rear endthereof, and a divided nut or washer, 6 6, held together by the conicalspring-ring 7, (see Fig. 5,) so as to keep the disk 0 and base I)secured to the bomb-shell prior to firing; but the force of theexplosion spreading the ring 7 and driving it forward, the halfwashers 66 drop off and allow the ball a and base I) to separate after leavingthe cannon, so that the ball is not obstructed in its flight.

g g are a series of barrels cast in the bomb a, diverging as shown, andthese are connect ed to each other by a circular channel, 8, (see Fig.8,). and these barrels are to be loaded with powder and several balls ineach chamber. These being exploded just before the bomb reaches itsdestination, pour a well-dr rected shrapnel fire upon an enemy, theballs diverging slightly from the course of the bomb.

h is'a powder-chamber, to be finally exploded to shatter the bomb topieces.

According to the particular circumstances under which this ball is to beused should the explosions be regulated. If for naval service, thebarrels r 9 should be fired when the bomb strikes the vessel, and if forfield action should be fired before the bomb reaches the ranks of theenemy. the mode in which I contemplate effecting these objects. The fuse6 is led through ahole in the disk 0 and attached in the bomb a,terminating near the cavity 8, and the side of 6 next the bomb a ischanneled with a circular groove, 9. If the fuse passes out straight, itwill be short and quick; but if the disk 6 be turned, said fuse will bedrawn into the groove 9, and can be left a greater or less length, asrequired for timing the explosion, and at the same time said fuse willbepro- Small 7 I have therefore shown tected and not protrude beyond thedisk 0, as it is to be cut ofi after the disk has been turned to thedesired point. A pin, 10, may be driven into the base I), to keep itfrom turning when set. The fire communicating through this fuse explodesthe barrels g g, and then may explode the chamber h if a hole is left,as shown by the dotted line at 11,1 ig. 1. I, however, prefer that thebomb itself be shattered when it strikes, and therefore provide the plugit with a wire to be driven upon a detonatingpill in the pipe 12. 13 isa pipe leading the iire'to the chamber 71 In order to prevent anyaccidental blow on the plug 7cthus exploding the shell, I provide thecylindrical springhthat is sufficiently ta:

pering to take the shoulders 14 on the plug and 15 on the inside of theshell. This spring [is formed of sheet metal cut with longitudinalincisions, so as to form a series of springs end on, the springs thusformed being bent alternately out and in, hence able to resist anyslight blow,while a heavy one causes the springs to bend more and thecylinder Z to shorten or be pressed together lengthwise, so as to permitthe wire tail of k to strike the detonating substance in the pipe 12.

I do not claim a bomb with several barrels or chambers; neither do Iclaim an elastic base, I), or a metallic cup in themselves; nor a springto the detonating-plug; and I am aware that conical rings of lead havebeen used at the tapering parts of the bomb; but

NVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The arrangement of the diverging barrels g 9, connected together attheir base by the circular groove 8, surrounding the chamber 71, andfired in the manner specified.

2. The lead ring 0, provided with a corrugated sheet-metal band, incombination with the circular and longitudinal grooves 4 at the taperingend of the bomb, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The elastic base Z), in combination with the tapering corrugatedmetal d, in the manner and for the purposes specified.

4. The disk 0, through which the fuse 1? passes, 'when fitted 'setforth, to regulate the length of said fuse, as specified.

5. In combination with the base I) and disk 6, the pin f, divided washer6, and conical ring 7, for the purposes set forth.

6. The tapering sheet-metal spring Z, constructed as specified, andapplied to sustain the detonating-plug It, as set forth.

7-. The rollers 2 2, arranged and applied as shown, to take therifling-grooves, for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 10th day ofDecember, 1861.

JOHN M. HATHAWAY.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL IV. SERRELL, Tnos. Gno. HAROLD.

